Turkmenbashi, December 14, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of the Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in the city of Turkmenbashi.

Welcoming President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said:

- My dear brother Ilham Heydar oglu, I am very glad to welcome you to hospitable Turkmenistan, in particular to the shores of the great Caspian Sea. A summit of friendly and brotherly countries of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkiye is being held for the first time today. I do believe that this summit will play an important role in the development of relations between our countries and will produce results.

Our country attaches special importance to relations with fraternal Azerbaijan and Turkiye. In my opinion, this Trilateral Summit being held for the first time will be important in terms of geopolitical and geo-economic relations among our countries. There are a number of economic issues related to the diversification of the supply of energy and strengthening the transit-transport relations among our states. As for the humanitarian direction, there are many common aspects among our countries – language, religion, culture and a number of others. My brother Ilham Heydar oglu, let me also mention the inter-parliamentary relations between our countries.

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President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Thank you, dear Gurbanguly Malikguliyevich. I am very pleased to see you again. I am visiting brotherly Turkmenistan for the second time this year, and it is always a pleasure to meet with you. For many years, we have been taking important steps to develop Turkmen-Azerbaijani relations, and our two brotherly countries are raising their relations to a new level today. I am very delighted that brotherly and friendly relations are evident in all fields. We are strategic partners both in the political and economic fields. We have recently achieved great success – our trade turnover has increased several times. As you mentioned, there is great progress in the field of transport and transit.

The key thing is that our peoples are brotherly peoples, and independent Turkmenistan and independent Azerbaijan are building their relations on the basis of this brotherhood today. This is very important for both our countries and the region. And three brotherly countries are meeting in Turkmenistan, in this beautiful Awaza today. I think this is an event that will make the souls of our ancestors happy. Because it is natural. This should always be the case – brotherly peoples should be together.

I would like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts on what I have seen here. We are pleased with the wonderful conditions you have created here. Awaza is becoming a truly international tourism center with its neatness, beauty and greenery. Creating such a magnificent center on the shores of the Caspian Sea is a great achievement of yours. Let me congratulate you and the brotherly Turkmen people on this occasion. Thank you again for the invitation.